PASTITSIO

SERVES 8-10 PREP 30 MINS COOK 1 HOUR PER SERVE 2473kj COST $$

2 tbsp olive oil 1 onion, finely chopped 1kg beef mince 1 ½ tsp cinnamon ½ tsp allspice 1 bay leaf ⅔ cup white wine 2 x 400g cans diced tomatoes 500g macaroni 40g butter 4 egg whites, lightly whisked

BECHAMEL SAUCE

60g butter ¼ cup plain flour 3 cups skim milk 4 egg yolks ¾ cup grated reduced-fat cheese

1 Preheat oven to moderate, 180°C. Lightly grease a deep 25 x 30cm baking dish.

2 In a large frying pan, heat oil on high. Saute onion 1-2 minutes until tender. Add mince and brown 4-5 minutes, breaking up lumps. Stir in spices and bay leaf. Add wine and simmer 1 minute. Stir in tomatoes and season to taste. Simmer 10-12 minutes until thickened.

3 Meanwhile, cook pasta in a large saucepan of boiling, salted water following packet instructions. Drain and return to pan. Quickly stir through butter and egg whites. Season to taste. Spoon half pasta mixture into dish. Evenly spread mince mixture over. Top with remaining pasta mixture, pressing down with the back of a spoon.

4 BECHAMEL SAUCE In a saucepan, melt butter on medium. Add flour and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Remove from heat. Gradually stir in milk until smooth. Return to heat and cook, stirring, until mixture boils and thickens. Reduce heat to medium and simmer 3 minutes. Remove from heat. Whisk in yolks and cheese. Season to taste.

5 Pour bechamel sauce over pasta. Bake 40-45 minutes until golden and bubbling.